Diagnostics

There are not many servicing jobs or repairs you can undertake nowadays that do not require communicating with the various systems involved.We round up the latest product news, virtual training initiatives and see some kit in action with some reader case studies.

As business now returns to the ‘new norm’, Opus IVS says it remains committed to giving independent technicians the confidence to get the most complex vehicles back on the road safely and fast.

During lockdown, the Opus IVS 360 Master Technicians supported workshops worldwide in the repair of complex vehicles. With face-to-face training halted, the team turned to online webinars to provide essential knowledge-based training to technicians and workshop owners.

With the lockdown easing and vehicles returning to the road, Opus IVS anticipate that workshops will see a potential increase in work due to various faults, including those caused by standstill vehicles over a prolonged period and delayed MOT tests. To support workshops, Opus has created another series of free technical webinars that will be delivered online over the coming months by its team of Master Technicians.

2nd September 2020, 10AM: Mercedes-Benz – SCR

Lucas Smith will deliver a free knowledge-based webinar on Mercedes-Benz: SCR. He will discuss Adblue and SCR systems and give an insight on the operation and diagnostic procedures to save you time and money when faced with these issues in your workshop.

7th October 2020, 10AM: VAG – Air Leak Diagnosis

4th November 2020, 10AM: Land Rover - SCR

To register, please visit: https://uk.autologic.com/training/ webinars-1

You can find all previous webinars on YouTube here: https:// bit.ly/2EuBqoW.

affordable code reader

Enthusiasts and workshops requiring an inexpensive back-up tool can now benefit from a new entry-level vehicle maintenance tool by Launch UK. The C-reader S1 CBD Code Reader meets all current OBD/Eobd protocols and can record up to eight hours of live data. Free updates are available using the USB2 port via the internet.

Up to four lines of available data can be displayed simultaneously and users can read and clear fault codes, carry out an I/M readiness monitor status test including emission system self-tests, view freeze-frame data when an emissions fault occurs, view and graph the data stream, save and review data and benefit from the on-board monitor test (mode 6). The vehicle identification or chassis number is also displayed.

The S1 is capable of displaying C codes (Chassis) for equipment such as steering, brakes and airbags, B codes (Body) associated with equipment inside passenger compartment such as comfort, convenience and safety apparatus, and U codes, including network and vehicle integration. These are at the vehicle manufacturer’s discretion. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/34AIZ8v.

Beware of online sellers

Launch UK is warning garages of the dangers of purchasing from some internet diagnostic tool sellers. On eBay alone, the company has found at least 50 sellers claiming to be genuine diagnostic sellers, but list inaccurate company information such as a UK base and fraudulent VAT numbers.

The Launch investigation also found that some products were not necessarily counterfeit but were of a lower specification and inferior quality, masquerading as ‘genuine’ products. The providers offered no support, updates or traceability to customers and also fell foul of tax legislation.

“The rise of spurious internet sellers is damaging the reputation of the automotive industry and also the hard-working diagnostic tool providers,” says Dave Richards, MD of Launch Tech UK. “If somebody purchases a diagnostic tool over the internet, they must be aware of the product’s origin as support for the tool is essential. Price is a key factor and garages are being targeted by these spurious sellers, who cannot provide any support for the product they are selling.”

To help comprehensively assess batteries and accurately diagnose the root of a problem, ECOBAT Battery Technologies (ECOBAT), has introduced its EBT780 battery analyser and test tool.

“The EBT780 is a specialist tool designed to help workshops fully evaluate the battery in order for them to make the correct decisions during the repair process,” explained ECOBAT’s Marketing Manager, Laura Jones.

“Therefore, in addition to its function as a voltmeter, the tool, which can be personalised for up to four technicians, provides users with multiple test options, the first being the battery test, a procedure that can be carried out with the battery in or out of the vehicle. This yields one of five results from ‘Good’, the battery is in good condition, to ‘Bad Cell Replace’, the battery has a faulty cell, replace battery.”

In addition to the core battery test, the tool provides a cranking test option, as well as a charging system test, which is particularly important for the growing number of vehicles equipped with start-stop technology.

“One of the invaluable features of this vital piece of equipment is that it allows users to print the onscreen result, which can be given to the vehicle owner so that they too can understand the true condition of the battery,” Jones continued. “This makes it easy for technicians to demonstrate whether it needs to be replaced or is still fit for purpose."

For further details, call 01743 218 500 and mention you saw it in Autotechnician, or visit: www.ecobat.tech.

One million case studies now on hand

ESI[tronic] customers who have licensed the function "experience-based repair (EBR)" now have access to more than 1,000,000 real-life use cases/ vehicle combinations. EBR’s function is to provide fast, straightforward solutions to known faults, generated by the experienced Bosch authoring team and validated through the expertise and feedback of the worldwide Bosch diagnostic community.

To celebrate the 1 million milestone, Bosch is making its EBR (Experienced Based Repair), SIS (Technical Manuals) and P (Circuit Diagrams) ESI[tronic] online info types available free of charge in online format to existing ESI[tronic] customers that do not already have a license for these info types until the end of 2020.

ESI[tronic] 2.0 Online workshops will find maintenance and circuit diagrams, all important diagnostic functions, repair and troubleshooting instructions, manuals, vehicle data and also experience-based repair cases (EBR) for more than 150 vehicle brands.

The EBR delivers solutions for known errors from workshop practice, compiled by the experienced Bosch team of authors. In addition to proven sources such as the service hotline, Bosch uses a special algorithm that searches Internet forums for relevant errors and repair tips from everyday workshop life. The Bosch team of experts then validates the data. EBR enables technicians to identify system-related errors as well as noise complaints that are not covered by the software diagnosis meaning faults can be quickly and efficiently assessed and rectified.

For more information on ESI[tronic], Experience based repair, or the promotional offer, visit www. boschesitronic.com/en/.

Intelligent Diagnostics: Eliminating guesswork

SNAP-ON’S NEW APOLLO-D8 DIAGNOSTIC SCAN TOOL IS DESIGNED TO INTUITIVELY GUIDE TECHNICIANS THROUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC WORKFLOW – FROM PINPOINTING THE PROBLEM, TO FINDING THE FIX. AUTOTECHNICIAN SPOKE WITH STEVE FOX, DIAGNOSTIC TRAINING LEAD AND SALES DEVELOPER AT SNAP-ON, WHO FOCUSES ON INCREASING CUSTOMER AND FRANCHISEE KNOWLEDGE OF VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, TO SEE HOW IT CAN HELP YOU REACH A FASTER FIX.

The new APOLLO-D8 is the latest scan tool to be added to the Intelligent Diagnostics family from Snap-on and has been designed to make Intelligent Diagnostics more accessible to technicians at all skill levels, providing technicians with the answers, and the confidence to pinpoint underlying faults.

The tool offers quick access to SureTrack’s Top Repairs, Smart Data, Functional Tests and Resets all presented on one page. Giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t. One key feature is Smart Data. ‘Smart Data’ automatically configures the control unit’s data parameter ID’s (PIDs) relevant to the fault code selected. Snap-on’s Steve Fox told us: “If a parameter is out of tolerance, it is highlighted with a red flag. In my opinion, as an ex-technician, one of the hardest things to know is if a PID is out of expected range” let alone which PIDs I needed? Intelligent Diagnostics delivers all the information needed for the job in one scrolling, easy-to-navigate screen. Steve adds: “How many m/g per stroke should I expect to see on a known good mass air flow sensor in live data at idle, with the EGR valve closed? These are the types of questions I struggled to find the answer to, let alone which PIDs I needed to select and evaluate once I retrieved a fault code. With Intelligent Diagnostics I can get to that kind of information straight away."

Snap-on’s APOLLO-D8’s features include:

• Intelligent Diagnostics: Delivers all the information in one scrolling screen

• Intuitively guides you through the diagnostic workflow, from pinpointing the problem, to finding the fix

• Smart Data: Automatically configures the display to show vehicle data parameter ID (PIDs) relevant to the fault code

• The 2019 Queen’s Award-winning SureTrack™ information resource delivers top repairs and real fixes for the specific vehicle and DTC

Extra assurance

SureTrack is Snap-on’s information resource that highlights top repairs and real fixes for the specific vehicle and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in front of you, this information has been sourced from thousands of garages that have solved the same problem. We wondered how the information was evaluated, as you don’t want to be guided down the wrong path by a job card that’s been completed by someone looking for an easy fix. Steve explained: “All the information is validated by Snap-on engineers to ensure it is accurate and relevant to the vehicle and code.”

The features sound like they could save a lot of wasted time for many, but surely cannot replace the knowledge and skill of technicians honed through experience? “Of course no one could ever replace a technician, but what we can do is try to make things easier for them and significantly increase their productivity and speed - helping them get through tasks quicker and more efficiently, and helping them to look in the right places instead of chasing the wrong issue. And hopefully in turn they can make more money. If I were in a garage today, using a Snap-on Intelligent Diagnostics product, I would be confident I could plug into the vehicle in front of me and, with the trouble code, be pointed in the direction of what to do next.” For the vast majority, the tool and its software will provide guidance when the fault is not one that has been encountered before and will provide many with confidence that they are following a logical diagnostic process and completing the job professionally.

• Functional Tests and Resets: Verifying component operation is right at your fingertips with easy-to-follow reset procedures to complete the repair

• Pre- and post-scan vehicle summary report displays a complete view of diagnostic results

Accessing the Intelligent Diagnostic functions on the Snap-on APOLLO-D8 requires a software agreement, which will keep the tool updated with the latest information and functionality available.

To find out more about the line of Intelligent Diagnostics tools, talk to your Snap-on franchisee or visit: diagnostics.snapon.co.uk/apollod8.

The Apollo in action Case study: 2007 Mazda 6 2.0l Diesel

The APOLLO-D8 was used to discover an underlying fault on a Mazda 6 that had an EGR fault code stored, which on Mazdas, can also throw up an ABS fault code. The Engine MIL was illuminated, it had a flashing DPF light, but no loss of performance was noticed by the driver.

A Pre-Scan was carried out to establish all the vehicle trouble codes. These reports are automatically sent to the Snap-on cloud via Wi-Fi and can be printed, e-mailed or sent via text to customers for repair approval before fixing the vehicle. These can also be used to fulfil mandates by manufacturers and insurance companies for collision work.

By selecting the P0406 trouble code, you are taken to the Intelligent Diagnostics page. At the top, you can view the ‘Verified Top Repairs’.

Looking at the smart data, the red flags have highlighted that the EGR valve position has gone out of tolerance at idle. Using the red and green cursors, looking at all the available live data, no other component showed any abnormality, indicating the EGR Valve was likely to be at fault. EGR valve position at idle should be between 1.9 mm and 2.0 mm (this read 1.44

mm). This value was the first PID to exceed our known good tolerance, hence the red flag with the red vertical cursor.

EGR position voltage should be 1.13V to 1.17V on live data (here it is 1.02V) due to the suspect EGR component, this has caused the voltage to momentarily step out of our known good/bad tolerance, hence the red flag.

Under the functional tests and resets tab, there was an ETB/ EGR relearn available, this was carried out after replacing the EGR Valve.

Post Scan (after repair) to verify fix: A road test was carried out ensuring the OBD readiness monitor had completed for the EGR system. A post scan shows that the EGR fault had not returned, confirming a fix.

Industry Leading Diagnostic Solutions Opus IVS helps independent automotive workshops repair the most complex vehicles fast with diagnostics, programming, and live repair guidance from OE brand-specific master technicians

Click here to find out more about the Elite Diagnostic Kit

The Delphi DS150 in action Case study: 2010 Ford Fiesta

Cotterrell Auto Services in Kenilworth is a family-run business and they undertake repairs and servicing on all makes of car and light commercial vehicles, and also have a healthy customer base of classic car enthusiasts. The garage has been using the Delphi DS150 for some time and we spoke to technician Sean Walker who recently carried out an interesting diagnostics procedure on a TPMS system. “We recently had a 10-plate Ford Fiesta in which had an ABS fault flagged up. We connected up some diagnostic kit and narrowed it down to a faulty TPMS sensor. We replaced it, but they’re coded and was proving difficult to recode. We spent an hour using other equipment, but it couldn’t get into the body control unit to read the original tyre code. We tried resetting the control units but this didn’t help. We tried another bit of kit, but it still couldn’t code the new sensor. “We got the Delphi DS150 running on the laptop – normally, you have to get a field technician to update the software but we did it ourselves – first bonus point. We found the car using the VIN feature (you can search for the registration number

or manually search) and connected up to the car via the OBD dongle. It comes up with options – petrol, braking systems etc., we chose body control for TPMS. There was a drop-down box on procedures, which allowed us to read original codes for the tyre pressure monitors, another that coded the new ones and another option to initialise the tyre pressure systems. Three procedures that our other kit didn’t have.”

The garage also maintains a fleet which includes a number of Fiat Pandas. “They come in with all sorts of problems on them and our other kit doesn’t communicate with them, but Delphi does. The rev counter is a phonic wheel, basically a crank sensor, and if it’s been replaced it comes up with a fault and needs adjusting. The first time we connected the Delphi DS150, it pointed straight to the phonic wheel and the procedure

needed to adjust it.”

Delphi’s UK’s Technical Services Manager Phil Mitchell gives an overview of the DS Software in this 3-minute video www. youtube.com/watch?v=sxjLBGE8rHU.

DS150E Car Kit overview:

Operated from a workshop’s own PC or laptop, you connect the VCI to the diagnostic socket in the vehicle and it will communicate via Bluetooth Software. Multiple updates throughout the year are included with subscription.

Key Functions: Technical data, VRM lookup, Service light reset, Read and erase fault codes, Read and graph live data parameters, Intelligent system scan (ISS) - full vehicle ECU scans, Programming, Component activation and adjustment, ECU coding, Print and save diagnostic reports, Data logger, Battery voltage monitoring, Intelligent system identification and updates.